Played in more than 100 countries, athletes who compete in table tennis also have the opportunity to participate in numerous tournaments other than the Paralympic Games, including the European Championships, the Pan American Games, the All-Africa Games and the Far East and South Pacific Games. Table tennis has been a part of the Paralympic program since the inaugural Games in 1960.

Rules governing Paralympic table tennis are the same as those used by the International Table Tennis Federation, though slightly modified for players using wheelchairs. The same quick technique and finesse is apparent in the games of athletes from various disability groups, including men's and women's competitions, as well as individual and team contests. All matches are played best-of-five games to 11 points.

Paralympic table tennis competition is open to male and female athletes with physical disabilities such as amputation/limb loss, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.